Review by Ian Keogh

Nothing Special offers a sitcom romance in a fantasy environment, but as appealing as that may sound, it’s not as successful as it ought to be given the exceptional art.

Since before she can remember Callie Benson has lived her life under limitations. Her father has always fended off questions as matters to be dealt with when she’s older, but as she’s grown she’s come to realise she has talents others don’t, such as being able to see little floating sprites. She realises some of this is due to her father being a daemon, but has no idea who her mother is and what talents she may have inherited, which eventually becomes very important.

Katie Cook’s character rich cartooning holds the attention from the start. Cute goes without saying, but there’s also considerable life and emotion, in what’s a cross between manga and the busy style used in British children’s comics. There’s also an appealing eccentricity to the art extending beyond goofy characters and pages decorated with sprites, such as nonsensical items in backgrounds and funny signs.

Early on Callie literally bumps into Declan, with whom she’s shared classes since they were toddlers, but who’s never really impacted on her. Now, though, she discovers he also sees sprites, making him somehow not human, and the ideal companion to other lands to search for her missing father.

Clocking in at an intimidating four hundred pages, Nothing Special is actually a quicker experience than expected, largely due to Cook rarely extending beyond two or three panels to the page. Through the Elder Woods is extremely imaginative in places, but there’s a feeling of the plot being constructed on the hoof, with indulgently whimsical conversations carrying the book too long. They’re funny, but not that funny. Mishaps and misunderstandings are otherwise the order of the day, with Cook neatly transcribing the awkwardness of two teenagers attracted to each other, in what’s a starting romance as much as a fantasy quest.

What both Callie and Declan are is gradually revealed, along with their standing in the mystical order of things. It’s long time in coming and extended way too far, but there’s also eventually a resolution. Nothing Special contradicts its title. It’s funny in places, has a decent plot at the heart of things, and the cartooning is excellent, so much so that it slightly compensates for the wayward writing. You may be charmed, but unless you’re incredibly patient you’ll be frustrated.